Horror fans will immediately point out similarities between Project Playtime and Poppy Playtime Chapter 1, the mobile port of the wildly successful horror-puzzle game from MOB Entertainment. This game, however, uses an entirely new map and puzzles. Similar games include Poppy Playtime Huggy Wuggy, and Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2.
Solve puzzles and stay alive
As with its Poppy Playtime inspiration, Project Playtime also follows the same basic formula. It’s a linear adventure that has the player solving puzzles, running from monsters, and unlocking the next section of the toy factory. In solving the puzzles, it ranges from hard to easy, which can take as short as a few minutes to a couple of hours to get it right from the first try.
Similar to its inspiration, Poppy Playtime Chapter 1, Project Playtime operates on a familiar framework. Utilize the GrabPack, a high-tech backpack with grappling hands, you can access hard-to-reach areas and activate power switches. While the game follows closely to the Poppy Playtime aesthetic, it introduces new maps and puzzles to enhance the gameplay experience, making it distinct in comparison to the original title.
Problems with the game
Despite its good visual execution and innovative stage designs, the game suffers from an overwhelming presence of ads. Players often face interruptions from full-screen ads after completing levels or upon failing, with some ads even being unskippable. This constant barrage of ads affects the overall enjoyment and flow of the game. Ads are perfectly fine if shown sparingly, but being this annoying, it’s a glaring issue.
Unfortunately, while it gets the graphics correctly, the game remains very hard to appreciate due to the ads. Lastly, the game doesn’t have a proper ending; it just cuts off and returns you to the title screen. If you’re inclined to a more experimental style of conclusions, or just accept it since it’s clearly a setup for another installment, then it’s alright. Still, a proper ending is ideal.
A difficult-to-play Playtime game
To its merit, Project Playtime is one of the few Poppy Playtime remakes for mobile that absolutely nails the visuals on original levels. If you’re looking for a fair combination of puzzle-solving and frantic escapes, it’s also a good alternative despite feeling unoriginal at every turn. Unfortunately, its gameplay potential is wasted because of its incessant ads that basically interrupt the player at every turn.